I opened my mouth to warn the arrogant idiot, but Faye clamped a surprisingly strong hand on my forearm and shook her head without taking her wide eyes off the little prick.
Donavyn’s jaw rolled like he tried to stifle laughter. “That may well be true,my Lord.But I wouldn’t dare test your theory. A humble visitor like myself couldn’t offend the king’s graces by laying hands on a citizen of Fyrehold.”
I thought he wasn’t aware of the gaffe as everyone’s eyes snapped to him with shock. But Donavyn took one sip of his drink, then said. “Excuse me—I meant, anobleman.”
Several of the men spluttered, but the women gasped and tittered, delighted by Donavyn’s casual offense.
The young Lord’s face suffused with red, but wisely, one of his friends drew him away before he could make further deadly challenges, and soon the drama passed.
It was only midnight, which meant this crowd intended to be up for hours yet. I watched Donavyn’s back as he leaned down to converse with two of the men who were less drunk, but still interested in the dragons, and saw Donavyn grow intent. I heardsomeone sayFurymasterand prayed he’d gain some insight into how to find the man. It was very odd that the king seemed to be hiding him.
Leaving him to pursue that with the men, I turned to Faye and asked if she could show me to a water closet—the Fyrehold term for a bathing room. And of course, she was happy to do so.
When we returned, Donavyn wasn’t there, and most of the other men had left as well. To play cards again.
“That is as it should be,” Faye said, fanning herself with her silk fan, her other arm linked in mine. “We’ll keep you with us—none of us have shared your incredible adventures, Brennan. My own experience with the dragons was only a few days, after all, though Donavyndidsay I showed an aptitude for the work. Something to do with loose hips being an asset,” she said thoughtfully.
I almost choked swallowing back laughter.
“Still, let’s sit and rest. Let the men do their gambling. Let’s talk. And you can tell us about the other dragon men. I assume those working with dragons are all Furyknights? Have any of them joined you here in Fyrehold?”
“No, no. Only Donavyn—I mean, the General,” I said casually. I’d just settled into a seat next to Faye, the other women crowding closer and leaning in, when I felt that gaze on the side of my face again.
With the men gone, and the women huddled nearby, I had a clearer view of the room.
That gaze came from a part of dark eyes under slicked back hair on the other side of the room.
“The Generalisvery handsome and strong. I had half a mind to urge Prew on. I would have enjoyed watching his face smashed,” one of the younger ladies said with a sniff.
I tried to smile, but I could feel Hanson’s eyes on my neck like the heat from a growing fire, intensifying. “Donavyn is veryaware of his own strength. He would never take the bait to harm a weaker man. He’s too honorable,” I said sincerely, letting my pride and admiration of him show. Because Iwasproud of him. He had more character in his little toe than most of these women possessed in their whole bodies.
As if she’d heard my thought, one of the women I’d only met once before, pursed her lips like she’d tasted something sour and glared at me. “Don’t admire a man so—if you’re easily wooed, it’s the fastest way to lose him. A man wants to hunt, not simply pluck a ripe fruit from the tree at his elbow,” she said with a sniff. “Unless, I suppose, you only want to be devouredonce,”she added slyly. The women tittered.
I opened my mouth, uncertain whether I should set her down, or pretend concern, but a deep, menacing voice spoke from over my shoulder before I could.
“Perhaps a woman who hasn’t managed to snag herself a husband without trapping him in an unwanted pregnancy shouldn’t be offering advice on whatmenwant?”
Several gasps rose, and a small wave of malicious laughter. The woman’s face turned beet red, then drained of all color as she looked over my shoulder.
Hanson stood, one hand in his pocket, the other holding a drink, his head tilted and eyes gleaming like blades. Ather.
“It’s not—” I gasped, but Faye dug an elbow into my rib so sharply, I flinched.
Hanson’s eyes snapped to mine, and he raised his glass. “My Lady Brennan, you should admire whomever you wish, and whenever you choose.” The twist of his lips gave the word a suggestive thrust. But then he stopped smiling. “Don’t let a bitter shrew silence your canary song.”
Then he turned on his heel and walked away. I gaped at him while, around me, the women fluttered and puffed like a flock of birds, some of them horrified, others delighted.
Faye, never one to miss the opportunity to increase her own standing, made loud excuses that we needed to visit the water closet, gripped me by the elbow and dragged me after her.
I protested, but honestly, was relieved to get away. A few of the others followed us, and I was surrounded in primping, laughing women as we walked out of the ballroom and up the hallway to the powder rooms.
“It seems the General isn’t the only one whose attention you’ve captured, Brennan,” one of the women said slyly when we were halfway down the corridor.
“Brennan is the great Commander’s companion, and he is a man of great status. It’s no surprise that other men would notice her,” Faye said, dropping her chin once, as if I were nothing more than an innocent girl, caught up in the schemes of men and shouldn’t be blamed. I thought she was being sweet until she leaned into my ear and hissed, “Play this one right—Hanson is the wealthiest Lord in Fyrehold.”
“I’m not—”
“You know, Prew was onto something.”
